Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan

Inquiry and Adventure-based learning Academy within School District 22

✊🏿 🏳️‍🌈

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Check us out! https://t.co/Qm2lagK6Oe
@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving potluck where students & staff came together over to share delicious food, stories, and company. The energy was warm & welcoming. It was lovely to connect with one another. Our day ended with a gratitude circle and a game of camouflage.@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Rob and Caitlin led a pro-d session on Outdoor Education through Story and Reflection. They shared how story and reflection are used at AIAO to connect students with nature and how story can come from the individual, a group, or nature itself. 🌱
@SD22Vernon @FultonSecondary

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

AIAO is incredibly grateful to have Coola Louis share her traditional Syilx Okanagan knowledge on truth and reconciliation. She brought a wonderful energy to our space and invited each student to speak to their understanding of truth and reconciliation. Thank you 🧡

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

We are grateful to have started our year with a wonderful community building day together at Kal Beach. Big thanks to Kalavida Surf Shop for hooking us up with paddleboard rentals. Our students enjoyed learning to SUP, creating new bonds, and taking risks. 😊

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Last week our students presented their first inquiry projects on the theme “New in the World” - curiosities explored were the COVID vaccine, 5G myths, fetal development, telescopes and more! Students learned tp provide critical and constructive feedback to peers. 😊

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

We're back! This week has seen our students making connections, using their voice, and taking up their first inquiry project of the year. The energy in the room has been palpable! It's been lovely to hear all the curiosities our students have begun to explore!
@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Congratulations to our graduates of 2021! Your leadership, heart, and courage will be missed. We wish you all well as you enter the next phase of your journey. We’ll always be here to support you and can’t wait to see where you’ll go! 💚🎓

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

AIAO staff & students engaged in meaningful conversations about each student’s learning and growth. Students spoke powerfully about the growth they had seen within themselves and their peers in the core competencies and in-situation classes.

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

We engaged in regenerative agriculture by creating a garden that mimics the natural components and functions of a forest. First creating a rich compost and then creating a mound, on contour, that included all the rich nutrients needed to have our blanket of plantings flourish.

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Our foraging class was fortunate to work with an incredible mentor, Bronwen! She taught us how to pick nettle without getting stung & if stung, you can rub burdock leaves on the wound. We made burdock root fries, sautéed nettle, dandelion fritters, and foraged salad. @SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

This week our grads held a World Café. Students discussed what must change at AIAO, what can never change, what/who was missing this year, and how they’d describe AIAO in 10 words or less. AIAO is co-created with our students and World Café is an integral part of the process.

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Our students led and took part in in-depth reflections on their growth within the core competencies. Today’s focus was creative, critical, and reflective thinking. Students assessed themselves on our growth continuum and provided evidence of growth to support their assessments.

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Our foraging class was honoured to be invited to the Kalamalka Garden (K’nmaĺka? Sənqâĺtən) at @okanagancollege. Justen taught us about the traditional Syilx Okanagan edible & medicinal uses of the plants. Marnie Gregoire from OKIB taught us about the traditional uses of tules.

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Monday was our final self-care/yoga class. We journaled & reflected on our growth throughout the class. We sat and attuned to the natural world around us, drawing a sound map to capture our experience. This was a beautiful ending to a wonderful class. 🌿🧘‍♀️

@SD22Vernon

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Our pallet construction and gardening projects are really starting to take shape! Students designed and constructed garden boxes, ramps for their dog and a piano planter!

@SD22Vernon #inquirybasedlearning #palletconstruction #woodworking

[Academy of Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan @AIAO_SD22]

Disk Golf N’ It! Working on our smiles, thumbers, backhands, and flicks. 

@SD22Vernon #inquirybasedlearning #experientiallearning #outdoored #diskgolf